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LAFEVER & LARAWAY.

Draft Equalizer. I

No. 77,200; Patented April 28, 1868.

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Letters Patent No. 71,200, and April 28, 18 68.

Iurnovsn sensitizes.

Know all men that we, AUGUSTUS LAFEVER and Hanson K. LARAWAY, of Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun, and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Draught-Spring Equalizer and Indicator; and we do declare that the following is a true and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,- and being' a part of this specification. I e

Our invention consists in a draught-spring, so arranged and attached to the Whittle-tree, tongue, 01' p load, or body to be drawn, that, in pulling, the animal is relieved from the sudden strain; also, in applying our device to chains, rods, wire, and other rope, where elasticity may be needed, on the principle that very heavy bodies may be moved by gradually-applied power. As the spring in our device must be contracted or drawn together in proportion to the resistance to be overcome, and as the resistance is overcome, it prevents the'sudden strain on the team and harness, and also prevents injury to the team caused byjerks. It also enables the team to start heavier loads with greater ease, and, consequently, avoids the breaking of traces, &c. Appliedto horse-powers, it answers the purpose of an indicator and equalizer, and, with chains, rods, or ropes, it can be attached, retaining their whole strength, with the great advantage of preventing breaks in rods, chains, or ropes, as commonly used. p i

s Figure 1 shows our device, attached to the pole o r tongue of a' vehicle, partially in section.

Figures 2, and 3, and 4 show our device in diflcrent forms.

The same letters indicate like parts in each figure. p

To construct our, apparatus, we take a coil-wire spring, India-rubber spring, or any other suitable spring, (shown in'dotted lines in figs. 1, 3,1and 4,) enclosed in a suitable case, A, or not, as may be most desirable. Through the head of the case and the spring we insert the rod B, provided with a nut and washer, or any other suitable device, to hold the inner end of the spring. At the outer end of the rod we place a book, 0, or other suitable arrangement for attaching the power.

When attached to a pole or tongue of a vehicle, we can attach another spring, in fig. 1, through which passes the bolt, to which are attached the whiflie-trees E; This spring D is placed behind the double-tree F, in such a manner that it compresses as the tension is exerted upon it.

Upon the rod B, and firmly secured to it, may beplaced the disk G, to which is secured the tongue or index H, (fig. 3.) Upon-the outside of the case A, there may .be placed a graduated scale, properly lettered or figured, when, as the tension is applied, the tongue or index moves forward, and indicates the pressure upon the spring.

Fig. 2 has, on the draught-rod B, near the book 0, two nuts, for holding in position the lever I, which is held in position by the earsJ. In drawing outtherod, the lever is elevated in proportion to the amountof draught, and, by the motion of the lever or indicator, the driver sees how to equalize the draught of the team.

Fig. 3 shows our device, with the disk, and finger or index, and graduation, in the case.

Fig. 4 shows another method of attaching our device to a wagon-tongue, which is both compact and convenient. In this case, the spring-case is attached to a grooved bed-plate, K, while the rod is attached'to a slide, L, which moves freely in the grooves, and to which is attached the rigid pin M. i N is a hook or staple, extend ing from the end of the rod, to hold the whiflie-tree on the rigid pin. This bed-plateinay be attached to the pole by screws, or any other suitable levice. a

What we'claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The combination of a draught-indicator, on the draught-pole, with an equalizer, D, on the double-tree F. substantially as described.

' A. LAFEVER,

n. K. LAB-AWAY.

Witnesses:

JOHN Mmcnnn, Lav: Mosncn. 

